Applying for approved gate check status

This page explains how a carrier can apply for approved gate check status (AGC). If granted to a carrier, AGC allows certain types of charges to be waived, reducing the number of charges that the carrier is liable to pay for carrying inadequately documented passengers.

Do you meet the following criteria?

Airlines:

• Where the carrier has outstanding debts under section 40 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, we will expect prompt payment.
• A document check must be conducted immediately prior to boarding. This should take place at the departure gate or within an adjacent sterile area.
• A full check of the document must be undertaken to ensure that it is valid, that the person presenting it is the rightful holder and that a visa is held if one is required.
• Reconciliation with the details on the passenger's boarding card is necessary.
• There must be an adequate level of security to ensure that these checks cannot be circumvented.
• The checks must be conducted by trained staff both at check-in and at the gate.
• These arrangements must be inspected in advance by the UK Border Agency at the carrier's expense.
• There must be a high standard of co-operation with the UK Border Agency (immigration liaison manager/UK arrival port).

Sea carriers:

• Where the carrier has outstanding debts in respect of charges incurred under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 or section 40 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, we will expect prompt payment.
• A document check must be conducted immediately prior to the passenger entering a secure area (or in a secure area prior to boarding).
• A full check of the document must be undertaken to ensure that the document is valid, that the person presenting it is the rightful holder and that a visa is held if one is required.
• All document checks must be conducted by trained staff.
• Accurate manifest checks must be in place, to show that the correct number of passengers have legitimately boarded the vessel.
• There must be adequate security levels to ensure that these checks cannot be circumvented. (Passengers and vehicles should not be allowed to leave the secure zone without permission, neither should there be any opportunity to switch vessels without challenge.)
• Adequate passenger detection systems must be in place where appropriate (this would include vehicle checks), but we will consider proposals for AGC status from any ferry operator able to demonstrate an effective and secure system without the use of technology.
• These arrangements must be inspected in advance by a UK Border Agency representative, at the carrier's expense.
• There must be a high standard of co-operation with the UK Border Agency (immigration liaison manager/UK arrival port).

If you meet the criteria

If you meet the criteria above and wish to apply for AGC status at a particular location, you should make a written request to our carriers liaison section using the AGC application form, which you can download from the right side of this page.

Contact:

HM Inspector
Carriers Liaison Section
Amadeus
The Quartet
Hayes
Middlesex UB3 5AR
United Kingdom

UKBAIGRALONCLS@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

The carriers liaison section will consider the request and, if satisfied, will arrange an inspection.

A representative from the carriers liaison section will make a formal AGC inspection and ensure that the carrier meets the criteria for attaining AGC status. The carrier will then be informed of our decision in writing.

If AGC status is granted, the carrier will be granted AGC for an initial period of six months. During this time, we will closely monitor performance and then consider further extensions as appropriate. The carriers liaison section reserves the right to withdraw AGC status if checks show that the standards are no longer satisfactory.

If AGC status is not granted, the carriers liaison section will provide full reasons for this. If you have any particular training needs, these can also be discussed. Once all issues have been resolved, the carrier can make a further application for AGC.

If you do not meet the criteria

If you do not meet the criteria but would like to find out how you can do so, contact our carriers liaison section to discuss training needs for your carrier and any other issues you may have which are preventing you from applying for AGC status.

Contact:

HM Inspector
Carriers Liaison Section
Amadeus
The Quartet
Hayes
Middlesex UB3 5AR
United Kingdom

UKBAIGRALONCLS@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk